No, paid music distribution companies do not have the authority to force an artist to change their song title or artwork before distributing the music. VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9t4XYhMwMM
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Artist Ownership:
Artists typically own the copyright to their music, including the title and artwork.
Distribution as a Service:
Paid music distribution companies primarily act as a service, distributing music to various platforms. They don't typically have control over the artist's creative choices.
Compliance with Platforms:
While they don't force changes, they may ask for consistency in metadata (like song title, artist name, artwork) to avoid issues on platforms where a duplicate release might be flagged.
Legal Considerations:
If a distribution company were to insist on changes that significantly alter the artist’s work, the artist could potentially have a basis to take legal action against the distributor.
#PaidMusicDistributors #PaidMusicDistribution #notationfestival
Song Title: Notation Festival - No Authority (Made using Cubase 14 / Wavelab)
If I am not mistaken song titles are not copyright-protected per se. So that shouldn’t be a problem. As I am not a legal expert this might have changed over time (although I don’t think so) so it’s better to get a 2nd opinion if in doubt.
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Thank you for your reply and points of view Reco29, which is well appreciated #CheersMate
I’m not an attorney, but I play one on TV. As with most things, it “depends.” I could write an EDM instrumental and freely name it Stairway to Heaven without consequence (other than public outcry). Now, that doesn’t mean someone won’t TRY to sue, but copyright/IP law doesn’t cover song (or book) titles. But I couldn’t then sell Stairway to Heaven t-shirts that suggested some affiliation with Led Zeppelin, etc.
The EULA/Contract with a distribution service or publisher is an entirely different thing. YouTube, by way of example, could absolutely honor take-down requests / copyright flags against my EDM Stairway to Heaven song and there’s nothing I can do about it. Also, contrary to the OP’s statement, the contract with the distributor could absolutely give them the authority to change your title if said authority is granted in the contract - so yes, that depends.
There are even considerations for peer-level distribution agreements. I was involved in content generation for a publisher who had a sharing agreement with a different publisher in another country, and the 3rd party publisher would change the name of the originally entitled content at will, often times confusing the message in the content. There was nothing we could do about it, other than ask them not to do that.
So it all depends. Unless the language in the contract is contrary to established law, sweeping power can be given to distributors and publishers, and that power is even transient between organizations in many cases.
EDIT: And yes, any actual legal advice should be received from a copyright attorney, and not from anyone in a forum, and even more importantly, NOT from an AI engine.
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Many thanks Thor.HOG very good points of view you’ve written herein #NiceOneMate
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Hey there - so, the very first graphic that video shows says “The artist owns the copyright of their own music, including title and artwork.” Please don’t take my word for it, but if you are acting on that advice as correct, then I suggest you contact an attorney - they are incorrect.
What the distributor can and can’t do is largely up to what your contract with them says, and before you act on anything, it’s in your best interest to pay an attorney. Just my opinion based on familiarity with these things.
100% Agreed Thor.HOG most music distributors around the world have all over stepped their mark by way of forcing an artist to change their song title or artwork before distributing the music. #FACTS including myself
My guess is that a core reason for this is to save them money when people submit songs to distribution services named “Shake it Off,” or “Ordinary,” or even “White Christmas” strictly to syphon misclicks. Of course they WANT your song to be requested more because they get paid more, but they are also responsible for contactual agreements with the streaming companies to ensure fraud is addressed. This not only applies to titles, but to automated playback schemes, etc. There’s a lot more to it. I don’t think your distributor is going to be wasting their time renaming your titles unless there is a reason for it. The only reason they exists is to make money from your content, so they keep expenses low. And if a streamer tells them “change this title” then that’s what they are going to do.
I don’t know what specific circumstance you’re dealing with, and it’s none of my business, but I’d suggest that there is a wider scope here. But I would be very cautious of YouTube videos because those people say and do whatever makes them money as well.
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